The Hanceville City Council voted unanimously to rebuild the city’s police department and hire a new chief following indictments against the former police chief and four officers. The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office will continue providing policing in Hanceville until the new police force is operational. An audit of the evidence locker revealed missing items including a handgun, methamphetamine, pills, and heroin. The audit was conducted following the death of a police dispatcher and arrests of the police chief and officers amid accusations of corruption. The District Attorney cautioned that more items were missing than initially disclosed.
The city council, in a voice vote, decided to suspend the police department and begin the search for a new chief. Residents expressed support for rebuilding the department. Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry mentioned that policing provided by his office has cost $25,000 a month in salaries alone, and asked for reimbursement from Hanceville in the future. Off-duty deputies are currently handling policing duties, but the sheriff’s office cannot sustain this indefinitely.
It is estimated that it may take between six months to a year to fully rebuild the Hanceville Police Department. The new chief will have the decision to rehire police employees currently on administrative leave. Despite the challenges faced by the department, the community and the city council are determined to restore law enforcement services in Hanceville to ensure the safety and security of its residents.
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